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Autumn

By Jeff S. Smith

"LIFE'S A JOURNEY, not a destination," I heard somewhere once. All in all, that is a fairly objective view of our time here on earth. It is a period of continuous passage: in reality, we never get where we are going in this life, because the destination of every man does not exist on earth. We set goals for our material lives accruing a fortune, securing a job promotion or having a family. But whenever we attain that goal, we always have a new one in mind. Only the dead have arrived at their final destination, and then only those who sleep in Christ Jesus are satisfied (I Thes. 4:14).

Autumn is a season of passage. Gone are the dog days of summer and their 100 degree days. The morning greets us with an occasional crispness that merely hints at the winter ahead. The leaves of the trees which have generously shaded us from the sun begin to decay; soon they will have finished their work and arrive at their destination - death. But even winter is just a journey, for another spring waits on the edge of the vernal equinox come March. The Hebrew writer praises the faith of Moses, who chose "...to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (11:25, KJV)." Life's a journey, and choosing to walk the path of sin brings one to a sad end (Prov. 4:27).

Autumn's passing nature lends itself to inward reflection (II Cor. 13:5). Where have I been and just where am I headed? Has my commitment to reaching the heavenly destination grown this year or has it languished or even waned? I promised myself I would become a Christian this year, but I have not kept that promise. I committed myself to try song-leading or a Wednesday night invitation this year, but I haven't found the nerve yet. The thing about such considerations in the Autumn of any journey is that there is still time to carry through on all we thought we would do and know we should do before it is too late. Nineteen ninety-six's candle burns low today; soon it will wax away. But those fading flickers signal one more moment to right one's journey and focus anew on the destination. Some will grow so obsessed and troubled with the failures a mile back on this journey that they will lose all concern for the objective. Paul tells us to forget those things which are behind press on to the destination - salvation in heaven (Phil. 3:12-14).

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